Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: How To Constantly Be in a State of Growth

Learning about the difference between the growth mindset vs fixed mindset can help you improve any, and every aspect, of your life.

The growth mindset vs fixed mindset are two very different things. One encourages constant improvement through trial and error, and the other prioritises perfectionism.

Let’s begin by finding out the difference between the two.

What is Carol Dweck’s theory of growth mindset vs fixed mindset?

These two terms were first brought forward by psychologist Carol Dweck in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (2006).

Those with a fixed mindset avoid new, challenging situations. As they don’t currently have the skills needed to solve this challenging problem, they feel that there is no chance of them improving and being able to solve it. Essentially, these new problems (that they can’t solve right away) may make them feel stuck and frustrated.

On the other hand, if you have a growth mindset, you are the kind of person who acknowledges that you may not have that skillset right now but you can eventually learn it, and this will help you succeed at the challenging task. As a result, every obstacle becomes a learning opportunity for you to learn, grow and be better over time.

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Qualities of a person with a growth mindset vs fixed mindset

Growth Mindset

You enjoy challenges and figuring out a way to solve them

Open to trying new things that you don’t know about/ that challenge you

You don’t give up if you can’t figure out the problem. You like to learn from situations and apply it to your life later

Actively pursue your goals even if it requires multiple ‘failures’ because you know you will eventually overcome the hurdles and find success

Open to feedback to improve your abilities

You believe in the concept of ‘not yet’ – you might not know it now but you can definitely learn it!

Fixed Mindset

Avoid new challenges

You don’t enjoy challenges and get easily frustrated when you can’t find the solution quickly/ at all

Give up when you can’t solve the problem

You are a perfectionist. If you fail at something, you believe it is because you don’t have that particular ‘quality’ or ‘talent’ in you

Adverse to feedback because you feel it is a criticism of you

Assess yourself quickly now. Which mindset do you fall into?

Whichever one you are, this isn’t a criticism of the way you think. You might have had a fixed mindset before and now have more of a growth mindset, or you might even have a bit of both.

But, I take it by now that you realise that the mindset you want to have is the growth mindset.

Having a growth mindset generally allows you to be more positive when it comes to learning whereas having a fixed mindset can be more limiting and restrict your self-growth.

A person with a growth mindset is also likelier to achieve their goals than a person with a fixed mindset as they are willing to take on challenges to improve themselves.

How to shift from a fixed to growth mindset

Take your time

Think of a newly adopted little kitten who’s just arrived at its new home. When it is exposed to the new environment/ people, it hisses at them and hides in a corner. It fears this unfamiliar setting with new faces, scents and dimensions.

Eventually though, as it realises that this new place is friendly and not going to harm it, it comes out of its hiding space and starts searching its new home. He allows his new family to pet him and eventually he becomes comfortable with the new situation.

This long analogy is basically referring to how those with fixed mindsets may feel when faced with a new situation.

And what is the moral of the story? You need time.

The idea of having a growth mindset sounds desirable. Having this kind of mindset makes learning fun while having a fixed mindset makes learning new, challenging things overwhelming as you criticise yourself for not already knowing these things.

So, next time you are faced with a new challenge, take it easy. If after a while, you can feel yourself getting worked up that you’re not getting the answer quickly, step away and take a break. Then come back to it when you feel better.

Just because a person has a growth mindset, it doesn’t mean that they find the answers straight away just because they’re more willing to accept that they don’t know things. They will also have to take breaks to process new skills and information.

Also, start with smaller challenges first and then work towards the big ones. This will help you build confidence in yourself as you celebrate the smaller wins and realise you are capable enough to achieve things.

Explore your interests

If you’re interested in something but have been stopping yourself from doing it because you feel like you’re not cut out for it, do it!

Being amazing at one particular task/ subject/ or activity isn’t the end all. You want to be a well-rounded person who has a rich, full life and part of that includes constantly trying new things for self-growth.

Start saying yes, and don’t be afraid to try again if you’re not the best at something the first time.

Work with people who have a growth mindset/ different learning abilities

Working with others who have a growth mindset and approach a task differently to you will encourage you to adopt the practices of a person with a growth mindset.

You might notice that they approach the problem in a different way to you. For example, they explore different solutions, ask for support from others or refer to different sources that you wouldn’t have thought of using.

Learn to enjoy the journey just as much as the destination

People with growth mindsets enjoy the journey just as much as they enjoy the destination i.e. they enjoy the learning process just as much as they enjoy finding out what the problem is.

Celebrate the small wins and congratulate yourself when you learn something new as opposed to only celebrating when you’ve gotten a result.

Regularly check in with yourself and ask yourself if you feel like you have grown as a person or learnt new things recently.

Be proud of the fact that you are trying your very best in everything you do and are learning in the process.

That, to me, is the definition of success.

Aim for consistency, not perfectionism

Ditch perfectionism and aim for consistent action and effort. Even if you have a day where you feel like you’ve barely learnt or achieved anything at all is a successful day.

Just because you don’t feel like you learnt anything, it doesn’t mean your brain isn’t in a state of processing the new information.

Consistency and discipline are the key to success. They are key for self-growth and self-realisation.

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How to develop a growth mindset in your personal life

Everything mentioned above can be applied to your personal life just as much as the academic/ educational aspect of your life.

For example, if there are new sports you want to try but are afraid of failing, you should take it slowly, practice with others of different levels to you (as well as the same level as you), start with small goals and focus on learning rather feeling you have to be the best at it straight away.

Similarly, if you want to work on your self-confidence, challenge yourself in situations where you have to come out of your comfort zone.

As you slowly get comfortable, push yourself to do even more and more. Instead of saying no, go out with your friends and meet new people. Work on your self-esteem and view it as a learning process rather than getting frustrated that you’re not as confident as the rest of the people you know.

As you can see, you can apply the lessons from the growth mindset in literally any part of your life.

It’s said that if you want to achieve something, you need to act like you’ve already achieved it.

For instance, if you want to start writing poetry, you need to start acting like a poet. This will include reading other poetry to find inspiration, honing your skills by studying and perhaps presenting your poetry to others.

By assuming the identity of a poet, you start doing the things they do which inevitably puts you in situations out of your comfort zone. But, this forces you to grow and get better. You are essentially cultivating a growth mindset by doing this.

It might be a useful activity in that sense to think about what skills you want and who you want to be. Once you’ve figured it out, ‘assume’ those identities and act like you are those people.

This will help you achieve a growth mindset as you challenge yourself to overcome your personal boundaries and be more than what you already know.

KEY TAKEAWAYS – Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: How To Constantly Be in a State of Growth

Those with a fixed mindset avoid new, challenging situations. As they don’t currently have the skills needed to solve this challenging problem, they feel that there is no chance of them improving and being able to solve it. Essentially, these new problems (that they can’t solve right away) may make them feel stuck and frustrated.
if you have a growth mindset, you are the kind of person who acknowledges that you may not have that skillset right now but you can eventually learn it, and this will help you succeed at the challenging task. As a result, every obstacle becomes a learning opportunity for you to learn, grow and be better over time.
If you are someone with a fixed mindset who wants a growth mindset, next time you are faced with a new challenge, take it easy. If after a while, you can feel yourself getting worked up that you’re not getting the answer quickly, step away and take a break. Then come back to it when you feel better.
If you’re interested in something but have been stopping yourself from doing it because you feel like you’re not cut out for it, do it!
Working with others who have a growth mindset and approach a task differently to you will encourage you to adopt the practices of a person with a growth mindset.
People with growth mindsets enjoy the journey just as much as they enjoy the destination i.e. they enjoy the learning process just as much as they enjoy finding out what the problem is.
Celebrate the small wins and congratulate yourself when you learn something new as opposed to only celebrating when you’ve gotten a result.
Ditch perfectionism and aim for consistent action and effort. Even if you have a day where you feel like you’ve barely learnt or achieved anything at all is a successful day
It might be a useful activity in that sense to think about what skills you want and who you want to be. Once you’ve figured it out, ‘assume’ those identities and act like you are those people. This will help you achieve a growth mindset as you challenge yourself to overcome your personal boundaries and be more than what you already know.

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset: How To Constantly Be in a State of Growth